New rulebook for private site fundraisers introduced by Fundraising Regulator
Melanie May | 10 August 2017 | News
The Fundraising Regulator has introduced a new rulebook for private site fundraising as part of wider changes to standards for face to face fundraisers.
The rulebook follows a review of the standards for face-to-face fundraising carried out by the Fundraising Regulator in collaboration with the Institute of Fundraising. The review found that, while the street fundraising rulebook covers high streets, there was a need for a rulebook that covers privately owned sites, such as shopping centres, supermarkets and shop porches.
The new rulebook focuses on site-specific standards which apply to fundraisers working in local areas. This includes:
- Avoiding behaviours that could cause members of the public to become startled or anxious, or bring the charity represented into disrepute.
- Ensuring that potential donors are able to make a fully informed decision to donate and that all information provided is clear and accurate.
- Positioning fundraising teams to avoid obstructing pedestrians and disrupting businesses.
- Being clearly identifiable as a fundraiser, wearing an identification badge and, where appropriate, charity branded clothing.
Suzanne McCarthy, Chair Standards Committee, Fundraising Regulator, said:
“The new private site rulebook, developed in consultation with fundraisers, is designed to ensure that there is a clear and consistent set of standards across all face-to face-fundraising, regardless of whether it takes place in public or in privately owned spaces. We look forward to continuing our work with fundraisers and thank them for their support.”
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Rulebooks for street & door-to-door fundraisers updated
The existing rulebooks for street and door-to-door fundraisers have also been updated to strengthen the links between the rulebooks and the Code of Fundraising Practice. The revised versions distinguish between the Fundraising Regulator’s public-facing role and the operational compliance role carried out by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) with its members, clarifying that the Fundraising Regulator will deal with public concerns through its standard complaints procedure.
The revised rulebooks also reference compliance arrangements between the Institute of Fundraising and its members such as its site management diaries, site management agreements with local authorities and penalty points system. The rules relating to these arrangements will be relocated to the Institute of Fundraising website.
Stephen Service, Policy Manager, Fundraising Regulator, said:
“The Fundraising Regulator is responsible for overseeing the public facing aspects of the rulebooks. Our latest revisions to the street and door-to-door rulebooks reflect this role more clearly by ensuring that all rules included are relevant to the public.”
Peter Hills-Jones, Director of Compliance at the Institute of Fundraising said:
“Private site fundraising is vital for many of our members, who are all committed to meeting the highest standards. This new rulebook will therefore be a welcome tool to help fundraisers, and together with the Institute of Fundraising’s mystery shopping programme shows the strength of self-regulation. By working in partnership with the Fundraising Regulator, we are further improving the sustainability of this important form of fundraising.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.